RAIL TRANSPORT OF APPLES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29193, 2 May 1960, Page 18

RAIL TRANSPORT OF APPLES

Successful Use Of Pallets The pallet method of transporting cases of apples, used on a trial basis for most of this season's crop from the Nelson area, has proved so successful that it will probably be adopted permanently by the Railways Department. Since March 24, 13,000 cases loaded on pallets have been taken by rail to Lyttelton, and 6000 to Port Chalmers for shipment. Pallets are flat trays similar to the type used for loading ships. They hold 55 cases each, and are secured by metal straps. The loading has been done at the grading stores of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board, usually near where the crops are grown.

After that there is no individual handling of cases, until cranes lower the pallets into ships' holds. Fork loaders are used to move the pallets on to truck and waggon trays in all stages of the journey. Previously, all cases were handled separately and by hand. This meant longer delays on the journey, a higher damage rate, and a larger labour force. Because the idea is new, the department is using timber waggons. They will hold 14 pallets each, making a total waggon load of 16 tons. All handling is done by the board. The success of the method could be regarded as a large step forward in the field of bulk handling, said the district traffic manager of the department (Mr C. J. Millin). “We are trying to encourage bulk handling, and this has been partly successful. We already have some new contracts in the South Island," he said. He said the department was trying to encourage a method of bulVhandling. now used successfully in the North Island. Carriers in different areas co-operated; they collected goods in. their areas, loaded them on to railway waggons, and had another firm unload and deliver them at the end of the journey. “This method has operated successfully in a moderate form between Christchurch and Ashburton for the last six months,’ 1 said Mr Millin. "We are now trying to extend the range and develop it.”

Another new development in bulk handling was the container system, said Mr Millin. Firms loaded their factory products into containers, and had them transported that way. The containers were not opened until they reached the firms' depots at the end of the journey.